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The 'frail face of famine'

July 28, 2011 by
The IRC

Baby Minhaj Gedi Farah, called the 'frail face of famine' in news stories that have reached around the globe, is one of nearly 800,000 children at risk of dying in drought-stricken East Africa. Photo: AP

Seven-month-old Minhaj, cradled in his mother's arms, clings on to life in the malnutrition unit of an International Rescue Committee (IRC) hospital in Dadaab, Kenya.

Families like Minhaj's have walked for days and weeks from Somalia to escape the devastating drought and find shelter in refugee camps like the ones in Dadaab.

When he arrived, little Minhaj weighed less than eight pounds — the Associated Press called him "the frail face of famine." But a day after treatment by IRC doctors he was breastfeeding again, which is a very good sign since he came in too weak to drink. The doctors are now focused on increasing his weight.

Comments

I know that yall are trying to save lives and I am very thankful that there are groups like this one that does whatever it takes. If there is anyway that you can give an update on what happened to this poor baby, I would really appreciate it. I cried when I saw the pictures when they first hit the news and I would really like to know whether he survived or not. My heart truly goes out to the mothers who have to go through this and the children who have to suffer. I have started donating to unicef and wfp and am planning to start making donations irc too. Until recently I did not realize that parts of the world were this bad off mostly because you never see anything on the news about the conditions else where. thank you again for all you do and if at all possible, please let me know if he survived. Thankyou so much.

I have been aware of and sending small donations to IRC for several years. The other day I cleaned out my e-mail inbox of everything, mostly requests for money for causes I feel very strongly about. I hadn't read most of them but was feeling overwhelmed. My husband died last October, and it has been a sad, overwhelming time since. I don't know how I will direct my energies or my money now.
I often think that I have to support wildlife work, since no one seems to care about animals unless they can eat them or wear them. We must look into the eyes of animals and children to find our most vulnerable selves and find our deepest compassion, it seems. So thank you for sending the picture of this precious child. I am so glad that I had cleared the space for him. I need him as much as he needs me, it seems.
Best wishes to all of you, with gratitude and admiration,
Judith DeWitt

I feel as though Judith DeWitt's comments were made by me as I find myself in the situation she describes.
I donate what I can to many charitable funds, mostly to animal rights groups. Sometimes
I am overwhelmed by the requests in my In Box for donations. But, like Judith, I feel we must act for those who cannot speak up for themselves, such as animals and young children.
The picture of that young, malnourished baby told the story of IRC more than any words
could do. Whether I have room in my In Box to hear from another charitable group or not, I will contribute to IRC to show my thanks for your help to the Minhajs around the world.
As Judith said, we need the Minjahs as much as they need us.
Thank you for the work you do.
Jean Hubbard

PLEASE HELP MY PEOPLE OF KITHUNTHIRI LOCATION ,MBEERE SOUTH- EMBU COUNTY IN KENYA WHO ARE DYING OF HUNGER(FAMINE),THE PLACE HAS NO WATER,NO FOOD PLEASE JOIN HAND AND HELP THESE POOR KENYANS AT THIS LOCATION